It was a peaceful morning on the farm. The sun had just risen, casting a golden light across the fields, and birds chirped joyfully in the trees. Cutis, the clever and caring farmer, was preparing breakfast for his little animal family. Among them was his beloved baby monkey, Lu, a curious and playful companion who followed him everywhere. The other special member of this family was Thuy, a gentle pregnant woman with a kind heart who helped care for all the animals on the farm.
Thuy was several months into her pregnancy, and although she often felt tired, she never stopped giving love and attention to the animals—especially to little Lu. The baby monkey had grown very attached to Thuy. Whenever she was around, Lu would climb into her lap or offer her fruit in his tiny hands. She would smile, stroke his fur, and speak to him in a soft voice that made him feel safe.
But something was off that day.
As Cutis prepared fresh fruit and warm milk for breakfast, Thuy stepped into the garden to gather some herbs. Lu followed behind her as usual, holding onto the hem of her dress. Suddenly, Thuy stopped walking. She swayed slightly, placing a hand over her belly. Her face turned pale, and her breathing grew shallow.
Before she could call for help, she collapsed onto the soft grass.
Lu let out a loud cry, panicking. “Eee! Eee!” He ran around her in circles, unsure what to do. He tugged on her sleeve, gently at first, then more urgently. But Thuy didn’t move.
Back in the house, Cutis heard Lu’s cries. They were different from his usual playful sounds—these were full of fear and desperation. Dropping everything, Cutis ran toward the sound, his heart pounding.
When he saw Thuy lying on the ground, motionless, he froze for a moment. “Thuy!” he shouted, rushing to her side. Lu looked up at him with wide, tear-filled eyes. The little monkey’s fur was damp from tears as he clutched Thuy’s hand, unwilling to let go.
Cutis knelt beside her, gently checking her pulse. It was faint, but still there. “Hold on, Thuy,” he whispered, his voice trembling. Without wasting another second, he scooped her up in his arms. Lu scrambled up onto his shoulder, holding on tightly, still crying.
They rushed back to the house where Cutis laid her gently on the couch and called the village doctor. While waiting, Cutis fetched a cold cloth and dabbed it on Thuy’s forehead. Lu sat beside her, placing a tiny banana near her hand as if it might help. He chirped softly, his little voice breaking with emotion.
“She’s going to be okay,” Cutis told Lu, though he was trying to convince himself as much as the baby monkey.
When the doctor arrived, he quickly examined Thuy and assured Cutis that she had fainted from exhaustion and dehydration. “She needs rest, good food, and care,” he said. “The baby is fine, but Thuy must not push herself too hard.”
Cutis sighed in relief, tears of gratitude slipping down his cheeks. Lu leapt into his arms and hugged his neck tightly, sensing that things were improving.
For the next few days, Thuy remained in bed, and Cutis took over all responsibilities. Lu became her little nurse, never leaving her side. He would bring her small gifts—flowers from the garden, apples from the tree, even a shiny pebble he found near the river. His concern was evident in every move.
One morning, as Thuy opened her eyes and sat up with more strength, Lu clapped his tiny hands and squeaked with joy. He hugged her carefully and patted her belly as if to check on the baby inside. Thuy laughed softly and stroked his head.
“Thank you, Lu,” she whispered. “You were so brave.”
Cutis joined them with a tray of soup and bread. “Our little hero,” he said, ruffling Lu’s fur. “You helped save her.”
The bond between Lu and Thuy only deepened after that incident. And Cutis, always observant and caring, made sure Thuy never worked too hard again. He prepared her meals, made her rest, and even installed a little bed beside hers where Lu could nap while keeping her company.
The animals on the farm seemed to sense the change, too. The cows mooed softly when they saw Thuy, the chickens didn’t squawk as loudly, and the dogs walked beside her gently. It was as if the entire farm had united to care for the woman who had once cared so much for them.
A few weeks later, Thuy was strong enough to return to the garden—but only with Cutis and Lu by her side. She moved slowly, taking breaks often, while Cutis held her arm and Lu carried a tiny basket with herbs.
And then, one quiet evening as the sun dipped below the horizon, a special moment happened.
Thuy placed Cutis’s hand on her belly. “The baby just kicked,” she said with a smile. Cutis’s eyes widened, and then filled with tears. Lu leaned in and gently placed his ear on her belly, curious.
Suddenly, the baby kicked again.
Lu jumped back, eyes wide, and then clapped with excitement. He let out a joyful cry, dancing around them. Thuy and Cutis laughed together, feeling the warmth of new life and the strength of the family they were building.
The memory of that terrifying morning when Thuy fainted never fully left them, but it became part of their story—a reminder of how fragile life could be and how strong love truly was.
Every time Lu hugged Thuy or brought her a fruit, she remembered his tiny hands tugging at her dress, his cries echoing across the garden, and the moment she woke to find him watching over her with pure devotion.
They were more than just a farmer, a pregnant woman, and a monkey.
They were a family.
